U.S. patent application number 14/444944 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for hybrid piezoelectric device / radio frequency antenna.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fitbit, Inc.. Invention is credited to William B. Baringer.
Application Number | 20150255871 14/444944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54018315 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150255871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baringer; William B. |
September 10, 2015 |
HYBRID PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE / RADIO FREQUENCY ANTENNA
Abstract
A hybrid antenna including a piezoelectric device and an RF
radiator. The hybrid antenna is capable of providing both RF and
piezoelectric device functionality, e.g., radio frequency
transmission/reception capabilities for radio frequency devices as
well as sound-producing and/or energy-scavenging functionality via
the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may be in
conductive contact with the RF radiator or may not be in conductive
contact with the RF radiator.
Inventors: |
Baringer; William B.;
(Piedmont, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fitbit, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54018315 |
Appl. No.: |
14/444944 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14290906 |
May 29, 2014 |
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14444944 |
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61948470 |
Mar 5, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
343/702 ;
29/25.35; 343/700MS; 343/720 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49016 20150115;
H01Q 9/0407 20130101; H04W 4/027 20130101; A61B 5/02427 20130101;
A61B 5/0002 20130101; H01L 41/09 20130101; A61B 5/02438 20130101;
H01L 41/312 20130101; A61B 5/4812 20130101; A61B 5/02416 20130101;
H01L 41/08 20130101; B06B 1/0644 20130101; A61B 5/1123 20130101;
A61B 5/02433 20130101; H01Q 21/28 20130101; H01Q 1/22 20130101;
H01Q 1/48 20130101; H01Q 1/273 20130101; H01Q 9/0421 20130101; H01L
41/25 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; Y10T 29/42 20150115 |
International
Class: |
H01Q 9/04 20060101
H01Q009/04; H01Q 1/27 20060101 H01Q001/27 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a ground plane; a radio-frequency
radiator, the radiator offset from the ground plane in a direction
substantially normal to the ground plane by at least a first
distance; a feed post conductively connected to the radiator; and a
piezoelectric assembly offset from the ground plane in a direction
substantially normal to the ground plane, wherein the radiator is
between the ground plane and the piezoelectric assembly in a
layered arrangement, the piezoelectric assembly being either in
conductive contact with the radiator or electrically coupled with
the radiator and not in conductive contact with the radiator,
wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane,
and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce
and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the piezoelectric assembly
comprises a piezoelectric material, a first electrode, and a second
electrode, the piezoelectric material is positioned between the
first electrode and the second electrode, and the piezoelectric
assembly is configured to produce a piezoelectric effect.
3. (canceled)
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric material
includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting
of: gallium orthophosphate, langasite, barium titanate, lead
titanate, lead zirconate titanate, lithium niobate, lithium
tantalate, sodium tungstate, zinc oxide, Ba2NaNb5O5, Pb2KNb5O15,
sodium potassium niobate, bismuth ferrite, sodium niobate, bismuth
titanate, sodium bismuth titanate, and polyvinylidene fluoride.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a current-blocking
component, wherein: the radiator is in conductive contact with
piezoelectric assembly; the current-blocking component is
configured to at least substantially block radio-frequency current
from reaching the piezoelectric assembly; and the current-blocking
component is in conductive contact with the feed post.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the current-blocking component
is located in an electrically-conductive path between the radiator
and the piezoelectric assembly.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric assembly at
least partially overlaps the ground plane.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric assembly is
separated from the radiator by a first gap so that the
piezoelectric assembly is sufficiently close to the radiator to be
electrically coupled with the radiator and not in conductive
contact with the radiator.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus further
comprises an insulating material that is interposed between the
radiator and the piezoelectric assembly in the first gap.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a first housing
portion; and a second housing portion, wherein: the radiator is
supported by the first housing portion, the piezoelectric assembly
is supported by the second housing portion, and the first housing
portion is mated to the second housing portion such that the
piezoelectric assembly and the radiator are separated by the first
gap.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a plastic
carrier; and a substrate with a printed circuit, wherein: the
radiator is supported by the plastic carrier, the plastic carrier
is supported by the substrate with the printed circuit, the
substrate with the printed circuit acts as the ground plane, and
the piezoelectric assembly is also supported by the plastic
carrier.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a housing having
a first surface and a second surface, wherein: the first surface
and the second surface are nominally on opposing sides of a portion
of the housing and define the first gap, the radiator is formed by
a metallization layer deposited on the first surface, and the
piezoelectric assembly is located on or adjacent to the second
surface such that the second surface is interposed between the
first surface and the piezoelectric assembly.
15. (canceled)
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ground plane is provided
by a structure located on an opposite side of the first housing
portion from the radiator.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the structure is selected
from the group consisting of: a printed circuit board, a flexible
circuit board, a metal plate contained within the apparatus, and a
metal plate at least partially providing an exterior surface of the
apparatus.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first gap is less than
or equal to 2 mm.
19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric assembly
is substantially circular or substantially rectangular in overall
shape.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the radiator is
substantially circular in overall shape and: the radiator has an
average diameter of between 5 mm and 25 mm; and the piezoelectric
assembly has an average diameter of between 5 mm and 25 mm.
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the radiator is O-shaped,
C-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped, or rectangular-shaped.
26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiator is a solid
plate.
27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance is between
about 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ground plane is a
non-planar surface.
29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiator and the
piezoelectric assembly are in electrically-conductive contact with
one another, wherein the radiator serves as an electrode for the
piezoelectric assembly.
30. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shorting post
conductively connecting the radiator to the ground plane, wherein:
the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, the
shorting post, and the feed post form an antenna configured to
produce and receive electric radio-frequency signals in a
Bluetooth-compatible frequency band.
31. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shorting post
conductively connecting the radiator to the ground plane, wherein:
the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, the
shorting post, and the feed post form an antenna configured to
produce and receive electric radio-frequency signals in a
GPS-compatible frequency band.
32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiator, the ground
plane, and the piezoelectric assembly are located on a common,
non-recurvate reference surface.
33. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first electrical
conductor and a second electrical conductor, the first electrical
conductor connected to the first electrode and the second
electrical conductor connected to the second electrode.
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric assembly is
configured to produce a sound or a range of sounds.
37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric assembly is
configured to produce a beep or a series of beeps.
38. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein
the piezoelectric assembly is configured to scavenge energy by
converting vibrations induced in the piezoelectric assembly into an
electrical charge and output the electrical charge to the
battery.
39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a planar
inverted-F antenna (PIFA).
40. A method comprising: a) providing a radio-frequency radiator;
b) mounting the radiator to a first surface of a first housing
component; c) providing a piezoelectric assembly; and d) placing
the piezoelectric assembly such that the piezoelectric assembly is
electrically coupled with the radiator, wherein the radiator is
interposed between the piezoelectric assembly and the first surface
in a layered arrangement.
41. (canceled)
42. (canceled)
43. (canceled)
44. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiator at least
partially overlaps with the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator
overlapping with less than all of the piezoelectric assembly.
45. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiator overlaps with
all of the piezoelectric assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/290,906, filed May 29, 2014, titled "HYBRID
RADIO FREQUENCY/INDUCTIVE LOOP ANTENNA;" this application also
claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/948,470, filed Mar. 5, 2014,
titled "HYBRID RADIO FREQUENCY/INDUCTIVE LOOP ANTENNA," both of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Recent consumer interest in personal health has led to a
variety of personal health monitoring devices being offered on the
market. Such devices, until recently, tended to be complicated to
use and were typically designed for use with one activity, e.g.,
bicycle trip computers.
[0003] Recent advances in sensor, electronics, and power source
miniaturization have allowed the size of personal health monitoring
devices, also referred to herein as "biometric tracking" or
"biometric monitoring" devices, to be offered in extremely small
sizes that were previously impractical. For example, the Fitbit
Ultra is a biometric monitoring device that is approximately 2''
long, 0.75'' wide, and 0.5'' deep; it has a pixelated display,
battery, sensors, wireless communications capability, power source,
and interface button, as well as an integrated clip for attaching
the device to a pocket or other portion of clothing, packaged
within this small volume.
SUMMARY
[0004] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter
described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying
drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and
advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings,
and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following
figures may not be drawn to scale unless specifically indicated as
being scaled drawings.
[0005] In some implementations, an apparatus may be provided. The
apparatus may include a ground plane, a radio-frequency radiator
offset from the ground plane by at least a first distance, a feed
post conductively connected to the radiator, and a piezoelectric
assembly offset from the ground plane and either in conductive
contact with the radiator or electrically coupled with the radiator
and not in conductive contact with the radiator. The piezoelectric
assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post
together may form a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) configured to
produce and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals.
[0006] In some such implementations of the apparatus, the
piezoelectric assembly may include a piezoelectric material, a
first electrode, and a second electrode such that the piezoelectric
material is positioned between the first electrode and the second
electrode and the piezoelectric assembly is configured to produce a
piezoelectric effect. In some such implementations, piezoelectric
material may include one or more compounds such as gallium
orthophosphate, langasite, barium titanate, lead titanate, lead
zirconate titanate, lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, sodium
tungstate, zinc oxide, Ba2NaNb5O5, Pb2KNb5O15, sodium potassium
niobate, bismuth ferrite, sodium niobate, bismuth titanate, sodium
bismuth titanate, or polyvinylidene fluoride. In some further or
additional implementations, the piezoelectric effect may be, for
example, (a) mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric material
when an electrical potential is applied across the piezoelectric
material via the first and second electrodes or (b) production of
an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes
when mechanical stress is induced in the piezoelectric material by
an external mechanical force.
[0007] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the apparatus may further include a first electrical
conductor and a second electrical conductor. The first electrical
conductor may be connected to the first electrode and the second
electrical conductor may be connected to the second electrode.
[0008] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the apparatus may further include a current-blocking
component such that the radiator is in conductive contact with
piezoelectric assembly, the current-blocking component is
configured to at least substantially block radio-frequency current
from reaching the piezoelectric assembly, and the current-blocking
component is in conductive contact with the feed post. In some such
implementations, the current-blocking component may be located in
an electrically-conductive path between the radiator and the
piezoelectric assembly.
[0009] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly may at least partially
overlap the ground plane.
[0010] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may overlap less than all of the
piezoelectric assembly.
[0011] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may overlap all of the piezoelectric
assembly.
[0012] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly may be separated from the
radiator by a first gap and the piezoelectric assembly may be
electrically coupled with the radiator and not in conductive
contact with the radiator. In some such implementations, the
apparatus may further include an insulating layer that is
interposed between the radiator and the piezoelectric assembly in
the first gap. In some such implementations the ground plane may be
provided by a structure located on an opposite side of the first
housing portion from the radiator. In some such implementations,
the structure may be selected from the group consisting of a
printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board, a metal plate
contained within the apparatus, and a metal plate at least
partially providing an exterior surface of the apparatus. In some
further or additional implementations, the apparatus may further
include a first housing portion and a second housing portion such
that the radiator may be supported by the first housing portion,
the piezoelectric assembly may be supported by the second housing
portion, and the first housing portion may be mated to the second
housing portion such that the piezoelectric assembly and the
radiator are separated by the first gap.
[0013] In some further or additional implementations, the apparatus
my further include a plastic carrier and a substrate with a printed
circuit such that the radiator may be supported by the plastic
carrier, the plastic carrier may be supported by the substrate with
the printed circuit, the substrate with the printed circuit may act
as the ground plane, and the piezoelectric assembly may also be
supported by the plastic carrier. In some further or additional
implementations, the apparatus may further include a housing having
a first surface and a second surface such that the first surface
and the second surface may nominally be on opposing sides of a
portion of the housing and define the first gap, the radiator may
be formed by a metallization layer deposited on the first surface,
and the piezoelectric assembly may be located on or adjacent to the
second surface such that the second surface is interposed between
the first surface and the piezoelectric assembly. In some further
or additional implementations, the apparatus may further include a
housing having a first surface and a second surface, such that the
first surface and the second surface may nominally be on opposing
sides of a portion of the housing and define the first gap, the
radiator may be formed by a metallization layer deposited on the
second surface, and the piezoelectric assembly may be located on or
adjacent to the second surface such that the radiator is interposed
between the second surface and the piezoelectric assembly.
[0014] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the first gap may be less than or equal to 2 mm.
[0015] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly may be substantially
circular. In some such implementations, the radiator may be
substantially circular in overall shape such that the radiator has
an average diameter of between 5 mm and 25 mm and the piezoelectric
assembly has an average diameter of between 5 mm and 25 mm.
[0016] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly may be substantially
rectangular in overall shape.
[0017] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may be substantially circular in overall
shape.
[0018] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may be O-shaped.
[0019] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may be C-shaped.
[0020] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may be L-shaped, U-shaped, or
rectangular-shaped.
[0021] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator may be a solid plate.
[0022] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the first distance may be between about 0.5 mm and 10
mm.
[0023] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the ground plane may be a non-planar surface.
[0024] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator and the piezoelectric assembly may be in
electrically-conductive contact with one another.
[0025] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the apparatus may further include a shorting post
conductively connecting the radiator to the ground plane such that
the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, the
shorting post, and the feed post form a planar inverted-F antenna
(PIFA) configured to produce and receive electric radio-frequency
signals in a Bluetooth-compatible frequency band.
[0026] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the apparatus may further include a shorting post
conductively connecting the radiator to the ground plane such that
the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, the
shorting post, and the feed post form a planar inverted-F antenna
(PIFA) configured to produce and receive electric radio-frequency
signals in a GPS-compatible frequency band.
[0027] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the radiator, the ground plane, and the piezoelectric
assembly may be located on a common, non-recurvate reference
surface.
[0028] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly may be configured to produce
a sound. In some such implementations, the piezoelectric assembly
may be configured to produce a sound when the piezoelectric asembly
is powered. In some further or additional such implementations, the
piezoelectric assembly may be configured to produce a range of
sounds.
[0029] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the piezoelectric assembly is configured to produce a
beep or a series of beeps.
[0030] In some further or additional implementations of the
apparatus, the apparatus may further include a battery and the
piezoelectric assembly may be configured to scavenge energy by
converting vibrations induced in the piezoelectric assembly into an
electrical charge and output the electrical charge to the
battery.
[0031] In some implementations, a method may be provided. The
method may include: a) providing a radio-frequency radiator, b)
mounting the radiator to a first surface of a first housing
component, c) providing a piezoelectric assembly, and d) placing
the piezoelectric assembly such that the piezoelectric assembly is
electrically coupled with the radiator.
[0032] In some such implementations of the method, the
piezoelectric assembly may be bonded to the first surface and the
radiator is interposed between the piezoelectric assembly and the
first surface.
[0033] In some further or additional implementations of the method,
the method may further include: providing a second housing
component, bonding the piezoelectric assembly to a second surface
of the second housing component, and mating the second housing
component to the first housing component. The piezoelectric
assembly may be bonded to the second surface in a location that
causes (d) to be concurrently performed when the second housing
component is mated to the first housing component.
[0034] In some further or additional implementations of the method,
the first surface and the second surface may be offset from one
another in directions normal to the first surface and intersecting
the radiator when the first housing component and the second
housing component are mated together.
[0035] These and other implementations are described in further
detail with reference to the Figures and the detailed description
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The various implementations disclosed herein are illustrated
by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals may
refer to similar elements.
[0037] FIG. 1A depicts an example of a hybrid piezoelectric
device/radio-frequency (RF) antenna.
[0038] FIG. 1B depicts another example of a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna.
[0039] FIG. 1C depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with an offset piezoelectric assembly.
[0040] FIG. 1D depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with electrical conductors.
[0041] FIG. 1E depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with an insulated piezoelectric assembly.
[0042] FIG. 2 depicts the example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna of FIG. 1A unfolded into a flat configuration.
[0043] FIG. 3A depicts an example device housing that includes an
example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0044] FIG. 3B depicts an exploded view of the example device
housing that includes the example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna of FIG. 3A.
[0045] FIG. 4A depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of an example device
housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0046] FIG. 4B depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0047] FIG. 4C depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of yet another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0048] FIG. 4D depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of a further example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0049] FIG. 4E depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of an additional example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0050] FIG. 5A depicts an alternative example of a hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0051] FIG. 5B depicts a further alternative example of a hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0052] FIG. 5C depicts an additional alternative example of a
hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0053] FIG. 6A depicts a top-down view of an example RF radiator
with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna.
[0054] FIG. 6B depicts a top-down view of an additional example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna.
[0055] FIG. 6C depicts a top-down view of another example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna.
[0056] FIG. 6D depicts a top-down view of yet another example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] Modern electronic devices frequently include one or more
radio-frequency antennas to facilitate wireless communication with
other electronic devices. Such an antenna is typically designed to
be particularly receptive to (or emissive of) radio frequency
energy at frequencies within the frequency band for the wireless
communications protocol that the antenna is designed to support,
and, ideally, much less receptive to (or emissive of) radio
frequency energy at frequencies outside of the frequency band.
Antennas may achieve such selectivity by virtue of their physical
geometry and the dimensions that define that geometry. Antennas for
different communications protocols are typically kept separated
from one another within a device to prevent the antennas from
interfering with one another.
[0058] Additionally, modern electric devices frequently utilize
piezoelectric assemblies to, for example, produce sounds to
communicate with users of the devices. Piezoelectric speakers are
often used to produce single frequency sounds such as beeps.
However, other implementations of piezoelectric speakers may
product sounds in multiple frequencies, allowing piezoelectric
speakers to be used in the same manner as traditional
loudspeakers.
[0059] Piezoelectric assemblies may also have additional
applications in modern electric devices. For example, piezoelectric
assemblies may be utilized as energy scavenging devices. In such an
implementation, a piezoelectric assembly within an electronic
device may scavenge electric power through the electric charge
generated by the piezoelectric assembly when the piezoelectric
assembly is subjected to vibrations produced by movement of the
wearer. Also future piezoelectric assemblies may be used to produce
vibrations detectable by touch, allowing the electric device to
communicate information to the user through haptic feedback.
[0060] Disclosed herein are several hybrid RF/piezoelectric
structures that provide both for piezoelectric functionality, e.g.,
producing sounds or scavenging energy, as well as RF operations,
e.g., communications over an RF signal band. In each such
implementation, a piezoelectric assembly may be placed in close
proximity to (or be in conductive contact with) the radiator for an
inverted-F antenna (IFA) (or other antenna structure) of an
electronic device. The RF radiator may be used as an electrode of
the piezoelectric assembly or the RF radiator may be placed
sufficiently close to the piezoelectric assembly such that the RF
radiator may power the piezoelectric assembly through mutual
coupling. The radiator and piezoelectric assembly may be placed
sufficiently close enough together that there is sufficient
electrical coupling between the piezoelectric assembly and the
radiator to cause the piezoelectric assembly or an electrode of the
piezoelectric assembly to act as, in effect, a large planar or
curvilinear surface element of the antenna that the radiator is
part of. At the same time, the piezoelectric assembly may still be
capable of other functions involving the piezoelectric effect,
e.g., producing sounds or scavenging energy. By combining the
piezoelectric assembly with the radiator of an RF antenna, RF
functionality and piezoelectric functionality may be combined into
a smaller volume while still providing good performance in the RF
regime as well as for piezoelectric functions.
[0061] FIG. 1A depicts an example of a hybrid piezoelectric
device/radio-frequency (RF) antenna. In FIG. 1A, a hybrid antenna
102 is shown. The hybrid antenna 102 includes a ground plane 104, a
RF radiator 106, a feed post 108, a shorting post 110, and a
piezoelectric assembly 112. The RF radiator 106, in this example,
is offset from the ground plane 104 by a first distance 114. The RF
radiator 106 and the ground plane 104, when combined with the feed
post 108 and the shorting post 110, form an inverted-F antenna-like
structure. In some implementations, the first distance 114 may be
between about 0.5 mm and 10 mm or, in some further implementations,
between about 2 mm to 5 mm.
[0062] The piezoelectric assembly 112 may include a first
piezoelectric electrode 170 and a piezoelectric material 171. The
piezoelectric material in the implementation in FIG. 1A and in
other implementations described in this disclosure may be a
material that exhibits piezoelectric properties, including gallium
orthophosphate, langasite, barium titanate, lead titanate, lead
zirconate titanate, lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, sodium
tungstate, zinc oxide, Ba.sub.2NaNb.sub.5O.sub.5,
Pb.sub.2KNb.sub.5O.sub.15, sodium potassium niobate, bismuth
ferrite, sodium niobate, bismuth titanate, sodium bismuth titanate,
and polyvinylidene fluoride. The piezoelectric material 171 shown
in FIG. 1A is a flat plate that is rectangular in shape. However,
in other implementations, the piezoelectric material may be in a
variety of other shapes including circular, triangular, polygonal,
etc. Indeed, the piezoelectric material may be in multiple
different three-dimensional shapes including cubes, pyramids,
spheres, lens, dishes, domes, complex multi-planar shapes, and
other shapes.
[0063] The piezoelectric assembly may be used for any function
suitable for a piezoelectric device. For example, the piezoelectric
assembly may be used to produce sounds. The piezoelectric assembly
may produce sounds in a single pitch, such as tones used for a beep
or a series or combination of beeps, or may produce sounds in many
different pitches, thus allowing the piezoelectric assembly to, for
example, play audio clips or music. The sounds produced by the
piezoelectric assembly may be another way for an electronic device
to interact with the user. Such interaction may be in addition to
haptic feedback produced by the electronic device. One example of a
situation where sounds from the piezoelectric assembly may be
useful would be in situations where a user of the electronic device
may not notice haptic feedback, such as during activities with lots
of user movement, for example, running or biking. In such a
situation, the user may notice a sound produced by the electronic
device.
[0064] In addition, the piezoelectric assembly may be used for
energy scavenging. Battery life is often an important concern in
electronic devices. Piezoelectric assemblies may convert mechanical
force, such as the force felt from vibrations, into electrical
energy. In such a way, vibrations from, for example, the steps of
the user, may be converted into electrical energy. Energy
scavenging by the piezoelectric assembly may be a way to extend the
battery life of the electronic device that the hybrid antenna is
integrated into.
[0065] In this implementation, the RF radiator 106 may also
function as a piezoelectric electrode. Other implementations may
include a second piezoelectric electrode separate from the RF
radiator. The piezoelectric electrodes, which in FIG. 1A include
the RF radiator 106, are in electrically-conductive contact with
the piezoelectric material 171. The piezoelectric electrodes may
distribute an electrical charge or electrical charges across the
piezoelectric material 171. In certain implementations, an
electrical charge may be applied to the piezoelectric material 171
via the first piezoelectric electrode 170 from an electrical
conductor in electrically-conductive contact with the first
piezoelectric electrode. Other implementations may apply an
electrical charge through the second piezoelectric electrode,
whether the second piezoelectric electrode is the RF radiator or a
separate second piezoelectric electrode.
[0066] As shown, the RF radiator 106 is a rectangular plate.
However, in other implementations, the RF radiator 106 may take the
form of a variety of other shapes. Some additional possible shapes
for the RF radiator are described in detail further in this
application, including, but not limited to, those shown and
described with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 6C, and
6D.
[0067] The shorting post 110 may provide for
electrically-conductive contact between the ground plane 104 and
the RF radiator 106. While shown as a single, continuous structure,
the shorting post 110 may be provided by a number of structures,
e.g., a bonded wire, a sprung contact pin, a combination of such
features, or other features that provide for
electrically-conductive contact.
[0068] The feed post 108 provides an electrically conductive path
for receiving or sending electrical signals generated by the hybrid
antenna 102 in response to received RF radiation or produced in the
hybrid antenna 102 in response to such electrical signals. The feed
post 108 may also be provided by structures other than the single,
continuous structure shown, e.g., by a bonded wire, a sprung
contact pin, a combination of such features, or other features that
provide for electrically-conductive contact with the RF radiator
106.
[0069] FIG. 1B depicts another example of a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna. A hybrid antenna 116 is shown in FIG. 1B and
includes a ground plane 104, a RF radiator 106, a feed post 108, a
shorting post 110, and a piezoelectric assembly 118. The ground
plane 104, the RF radiator 106, the feed post 108, and the shorting
post 110 in FIG. 1B are similar in configuration to their
respective components in FIG. 1A.
[0070] The piezoelectric assembly 118 in FIG. 1B includes a first
piezoelectric electrode 172 and a piezoelectric material 173. One
way in which the first piezoelectric electrode 172 and the
piezoelectric material 173 differ from their respective components
in FIG. 1A is that the first piezoelectric electrode 172 and the
piezoelectric material 173 are circular discs rather than
rectangular in shape. Certain implementations of the hybrid antenna
may utilize commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) piezoelectric
assemblies. Many COTS piezoelectric assemblies are available in
circular forms, so it may be advantageous to produce a hybrid
antenna utilizing these circular COTS piezoelectric assemblies.
[0071] In FIG. 1B, the ground plane 104 and the RF radiator 106 are
rectangular in shape, but in other implementations, the ground
plane and/or the RF radiator may be in other shapes such as a
substantially circular shape substantially matching the shape of
the piezoelectric assembly 118. Additionally, the RF radiator 106
in the implementation shown in FIG. 1B also functions as a
piezoelectric electrode. In other implementations, especially in
implementations utilizing COTS piezoelectric assemblies, the
piezoelectric assembly may have a second piezoelectric electrode
positioned opposite of the first piezoelectric electrode 172. In
such an implementation, the RF radiator may be in conductive
contact with the second piezoelectric electrode or the second
piezoelectric electrode and the RF radiator may be separated by a
gap. Implementations where the second piezoelectric electrode and
the RF radiator are separated by a gap are described in detail
further in this application, including in the description for FIGS.
1C and 1E.
[0072] FIG. 1C depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with an offset piezoelectric assembly. A hybrid antenna 120
is shown in FIG. 1C and includes a ground plane 104, a RF radiator
106, a feed post 108, a shorting post 110, and a piezoelectric
assembly 124. The ground plane 104, the RF radiator 106, the feed
post 108, and the shorting post 110 in FIG. 1C are similar in
configuration to their respective components in FIG. 1A.
[0073] A difference between the hybrid antenna implementation in
FIG. 1A and the hybrid antenna implementation in FIG. 1C is that
the piezoelectric assembly 124 in FIG. 1C is offset from the RF
radiator 106 by a first gap 122 instead of resting on the RF
radiator. The first gap 122 may be an air gap (as shown) or it may
be filled with a generally non-conductive material, e.g., plastic,
material, composite, polyurethane foam, double-sided adhesive tape,
etc. In the implementation shown in FIG. 1C, the piezoelectric
material 175 may receive an electrical charge through electrical
conductors attached to the piezoelectric electrodes 174 and 176.
The electrical conductors are not shown in FIG. 1A. In other
implementations, the piezoelectric material may not be in
electrically conductive contact with a power source. Instead, the
piezoelectric material may inductively coupled with a power source
such as the RF radiator 106. In such an implementation, the
piezoelectric assembly may not include the piezoelectric
electrodes.
[0074] In some implementations, the first gap 122 may be filled or
partially filled by an insulating material. An implementation with
an insulating material filling the first gap 122 is described in
greater detail in FIG. 1E. In some implementations, the first gap
122 may be less than or equal to 10 mm and, in some
implementations, may be less than or equal to 8 mm, 6 mm, 4 mm, or
2 mm. In some particular implementations, the first gap 122 may be
less than about 2 mm.
[0075] FIG. 1D depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with electrical conductors. A hybrid antenna 126 shown in
FIG. 1D. The hybrid antenna 126 is similar in configuration to the
hybrid antenna 102 shown in FIG. 1A. However, the implementation of
the hybrid antenna 126 shown in FIG. 1D further includes a first
electrical conductor 130 and a second electrical conductor 132.
[0076] The first electrical conductor 130 may be attached to the
first piezoelectric electrode 170. The second electric conductor
132 may be attached to the RF radiator 106 as the RF radiator 106
in the implementation of the hybrid antenna 126 shown in FIG. 1D
also functions as a piezoelectric electrode. In the depicted
implementation, the first and second conductors are depicted as
being soldered onto their respective piezoelectric device
electrodes, although, in practice, such connections may be made by
any form of electrically conductive interface. For example, in some
implementations, one or both such connections may be made using
spring contacts, e.g., a conductive leaf spring that engages with
an electrode. This may allow, for example, for easy electrical
connection to COTS piezoelectric devices. The first electrical
conductor 130 and the second electrical conductor 132 may be
attached to a power source not shown in FIG. 1D.
[0077] In certain implementations, the feed post 108 and/or the
shorting post 110 may be a sprung contact or other type of
electrical connections. Such configurations may be especially
useful when utilizing off-the-shelf piezoelectric devices that do
not include feed posts or shorting posts. In such implementations,
the sprung contact, e.g., a feed post that terminates in a leaf
spring that presses against a bottom electrode of a piezoelectric
device, may provide power to (or receive power from) the
piezoelectric device via that sprung contact while also allowing RF
signals to reach the bottom electrode (which may, for RF purposes,
act as a plate radiator of a PIFA). This may facilitate
implementations where only the first electrical conductor 130 may
be used. In such implementations, the RF radiator may be used as a
second electrical conductor for the piezoelectric assembly 112.
[0078] An electrical charge may be applied through either the first
electrical conductor 130 or the second electrical conductor 132 to
excite the piezoelectric assembly 112. In the implementation in
FIG. 1D, the first piezoelectric electrode 170 and the RF radiator
106 function to distribute the electrical charge across the top and
bottom surfaces, respectively, of the piezoelectric material 171.
When the electrical charge is applied, the piezoelectric material
171 mechanically deforms. When an alternating current (AC) is
applied to the piezoelectric material 171, the piezoelectric
material 171 vibrates. The piezoelectric material 171 may vibrate
at frequencies that are audible to the human ear. If the hybrid
antenna 126 is incorporated into an electronic device, the sounds
created by the piezoelectric material 171 may be used to
communicate information to a wearer or user.
[0079] Additionally or alternatively, the piezoelectric material
171 may generate electrical voltage, such as AC voltage, when
subjected to vibrations. The source of the vibrations may be from
motions experienced by a worn electronic device, such as vibrations
from the footsteps, arm motions, or other motions of the wearer.
The electrical voltage generated by the piezoelectric material 171
may be transmitted by the first electrical conductor 130 or the
second electrical conductor 132 to power a rechargeable battery,
capacitor, or capattery located elsewhere in the electric
device.
[0080] FIG. 1E depicts an example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna with an insulated piezoelectric assembly. A hybrid antenna
134 is shown in FIG. 1E. The hybrid antenna 134 is similar in
configuration to the hybrid antenna 120 shown in FIG. 1C. However,
the implementation of the hybrid antenna 134 shown in FIG. 1E
further includes an insulating layer 136 located between the RF
radiator 104 and the second piezoelectric electrode 118c.
[0081] The insulating layer 136 may be insulation selected from a
variety of different materials. The piezoelectric assembly 118 of
the implementation shown in FIG. 1E may be powered through mutual
coupling or it may be powered through electrical charges provided
by a power source that is electrically conductively coupled with
the piezoelectric assembly 118. If the piezoelectric assembly 118
is powered through mutual coupling, it may be inductively coupled
with the RF radiator 104 or be inductively coupled with another
source not shown in FIG. 1E. In cases where the piezoelectric
assembly and the RF radiator are inductively coupled, such
materials should generally be selected so as to not interfere
unduly with inductive coupling between the RF radiator and the
piezoelectric assembly.
[0082] FIGS. 1C and 1E both depict hybrid antennas in which the
piezoelectric assembly is inductively coupled with the RF radiator,
i.e., no conductive contact is needed between the RF radiator and
the piezoelectric assembly. This facilitates the use of COTS
components as COTS piezoelectric assemblies often include two
electrodes sandwiching a piezoelectric material. A COTS
piezoelectric assembly of such a configuration may be overlaid on
an RF radiator without requiring any modification of the
piezoelectric assembly. However, in some implementations, the
piezoelectric assembly and RF radiator of a hybrid antenna may be
conductively coupled. Such conductive contact may be provided, for
example, by way of a lead that is attached to both the RF radiator
and the piezoelectric assembly, or may be provided by a more
integrated solution, such as a circuit traces on a common substrate
that include both material for the RF radiator and the
piezoelectric assembly.
[0083] FIG. 2 depicts the example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF
antenna of FIG. 1A unfolded into a flat configuration. A hybrid
antenna 238 is shown. The hybrid antenna 238 includes a ground
plane 104, a shorting post 110, a feed post 108, a RF radiator 106,
and a piezoelectric assembly 112.
[0084] It is to be understood that either the "folded" version of
the hybrid antenna 102 shown in FIG. 1A or the "flat" version of
the hybrid antenna 238 may be used to provide combined RF and
piezoelectric capabilities in a common package. It is also to be
understood that, in addition to the components shown, some form of
direct-current-blocking, e.g., a capacitor or series capacitor, may
be provided to isolate the piezoelectric assembly and operation
from the RF circuitry and operation. The current-blocking
components may be placed on any portion of the hybrid antenna,
including on any shorting posts and feed posts. In certain
implementations, the current-blocking components may be placed
upstream of the point where the feed post 108 transitions to the RF
radiator 106 as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0085] "Folded" versions of hybrid antennas may be referred to
herein as "recurvate," whereas "flat" versions of hybrid antennas
may be referred to herein as "non-recurvate" since the "flat"
version does not fold back over itself. Any of the hybrid antennas
disclosed herein may be provided in both recurvate and
non-recurvate configurations.
[0086] As suggested by FIG. 2, it is not necessary for the ground
plane to be directly "underneath" the RF radiator, as was shown by
FIGS. 1A through 1E. The ground plane may be provided in a number
of different locations, and by a number of different structures,
that are located in the vicinity of the RF radiator and the
piezoelectric assembly. For example, the ground plane may be
provided by a large metalized area, e.g., such as is shown in FIG.
2; the conductive traces in a printed circuit board (PCB) or
flexible circuit board (FCB); a metal plate or surface within the
housing of a device that contains the hybrid antenna; a metal plate
or surface that forms the exterior of such a housing; etc.
[0087] FIG. 3A depicts an example device housing that includes an
example hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. FIG. 3B depicts an
exploded view of the example device housing and the example hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A and 3B provide
an example of a hybrid antenna implementation that demonstrates the
flexibility of such antennas in terms of packaging.
[0088] The example device in FIGS. 3A and 3B include a housing 340,
a piezoelectric assembly 312, a recess 328, and a RF radiator 306.
The RF radiator 306 is not shown in FIG. 3A as it is underneath the
piezoelectric assembly 312, but it is shown in FIG. 3B. The recess
328 is shown in better detail in FIG. 3B and so is specifically
called out in FIG. 3A.
[0089] The housing 340 may be designed to accommodate a display
that will be worn on a person's wrist. A wristband (not shown) may
be connected to the opposing ends of the housing, and the completed
unit may be worn on someone's wrist. The down-turned ends of the
housing 340 may allow the housing to conform better to the
cross-sectional curvature of a person's forearm. The bulk of the
interior of the housing (accessible via the underside of the
housing, for example, may be occupied by various electrical
components, including a PCB or FCB that includes, for example,
various sensors, processors, power management components, etc. The
opposing, curved ends of the housing may be designed to be inserted
into complementary recesses in matched pairs of wristband straps.
The convex surfaces of the curved ends of the housing may provide a
useful surface upon which to mount or deposit an RF radiator, e.g.,
such as RF radiator 306 (shown in FIG. 3B). The RF radiator 306
may, for example, be deposited directly onto the housing 340 via,
for example, laser direct structuring (LDS), or may be provided,
for example, as a stamped foil or thin sheet metal part that is
adhered, clipped, or otherwise attached to the housing 340.
[0090] A piezoelectric assembly 312 may then be placed over the RF
radiator 306 such that there is electrically conductive contact or
inductive coupling between the two components. The piezoelectric
assembly 312 may be assembled in a variety of ways. For example, a
COTS piezoelectric assembly may be adhesively assembled to the RF
radiator through a self-adhesive sticker or glue. If desired, a
recess 328 may be provided on the housing 340 to allow the
piezoelectric assembly 312 and RF radiator 306 to be recessed from
the nominal surface of the housing on which they are mounted. This
may allow a mating component, e.g., a wristband strap, to be mated
to the housing 340 where the hybrid antenna is located without
introducing a high risk of accidentally dislocating the
piezoelectric assembly 312 during such installation. A PCB (not
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, but shown in FIGS. 4A-4E) may extend into
the curved region of the housing underneath the RF radiator 306 and
serve as a ground plane for the hybrid antenna formed by the RF
radiator 306 and the piezoelectric assembly 312. Although not shown
in FIGS. 3A and 3B, there may be a feed-through via or vias in the
housing 340 to accommodate some form of shorting post and some form
of feed post (also not shown). Such vias may allow RF components
located within the housing 340, e.g., on the aforementioned PCB, to
be in conductive electrical contact with the RF radiator 306. These
vias may, for example, both be located near one end of the RF
radiator 306 or may be located near other parts of the hybrid
antenna.
[0091] As is at least partially evident from FIGS. 3A and 3B, it is
not necessary for the RF radiator, the piezoelectric assembly, or
the ground plane to be flat. These structures may be somewhat
curved or non-planar and still provide effective RF and
piezoelectric capabilities. Furthermore, it is not necessary that
the RF radiator and/or the piezoelectric assembly be parallel to
the ground plane--while there should be some separation distance
between the RF radiator/piezoelectric assembly and the ground
plane, this separation distance may vary over the length and width
of the RF radiator or the length and width of the piezoelectric
assembly. For example, the RF radiator and the piezoelectric
assembly may both be made to conform to a curved surface, as is
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, but the ground plane may be provided by a
relatively flat PCB.
[0092] The various implementations discussed above may be used, for
example, to provide a hybrid antenna that provides both Bluetooth
functionality and piezoelectric functionality. Such
dual-functionality may be of particular use in highly-integrated
devices having an extremely small form factor. For example, the
assignee of the present application produces personal biometric
monitoring devices, e.g., wearable devices that track, report, and
communicate various biometric measurements, e.g., distance
traveled, steps taken, flights of stairs climbed, etc. Such devices
may take the form of a small device that is clipped to a person's
clothing or worn on a person's wrist. Such a device may, for
example, contain various processors, a printed circuit board,
triaxial accelerometers, an altimeter, a display, a vibramotor, a
rechargeable battery, a recharging connector, an input button, and
a piezoelectric device all within a housing that measures
approximately 2'' in length, 0.75'' wide, and 0.3'' thick. A hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna may be used in such a device to
provide a more compact packaging solution.
[0093] Due to the small size of such devices, a hybrid antenna such
as those discussed herein may provide the ability to offer a more
compact communications solution than might otherwise be possible,
allowing additional volume within the housing to be made available
for other purposes. Such dimensions may prove to be particularly
well-suited to RF communications in the Bluetooth wireless protocol
bands, e.g., 2402 MHz to 2480 MHz.
[0094] Hybrid antennas that support other wireless communications
protocols may also be designed using the principles outlined
herein. For example, the hybrid antenna may be dimensioned to be
suitable for use with Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequency bands or
other cellular communications protocol bands, GPS frequency bands,
ANT, 802.11, and ZigBee, for example, as well as frequency bands
associated with other communications standards. The RF radiator
size, piezoelectric assembly size, first distance, first gap,
degree of overlap between the RF radiator and the piezoelectric
assembly, and other parameters discussed herein may be adjusted as
needed in order to produce a hybrid antenna, as described herein,
that is compatible with such other frequency bands.
[0095] Hybrid antennas, as disclosed herein, lend themselves to a
variety of packaging options. FIGS. 4A through 4E depict a number
of packaging variations for a hybrid antenna as disclosed herein.
Each of these figures shows a small electronic device, e.g., the
housing or housing components for a wrist-mounted fitness
monitoring device, and various representative internal
components.
[0096] FIG. 4A depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of an example device
housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. Visible in FIG.
4A is a PCB 450, a display 452, and a battery 448. A carrier
element 442 is also shown; an RF radiator 406 may be mounted to the
carrier element 442. The carrier element 442 may act as a
non-conductive support structure to support the RF radiator 406;
the RF radiator 406 may be a metal component that is clipped or
adhered to the carrier element 442, or it may be provided by a
metallization pattern created directly on the carrier element 442.
The carrier element 442 may be supported by the PCB 450, or may be
supported by other components. The RF radiator 406 may be
electrically connected to the PCB 450 or other electronics
components in order to provide connections between the RF radiator
406 and the antenna feed. The RF radiator 406 may also be
electrically connected to a ground plane, e.g., the ground plane of
the PCB 450 or another large, conductive structure. Such
connections may be provided by lead wires or other conductive
paths.
[0097] The PCB 450, display 452, battery 448, carrier element 442,
and RF radiator 406 may be assembled together and inserted into a
cavity formed between a first housing portion 444 and a second
housing portion 446. A piezoelectric assembly 412 may be adhered to
the exterior surface of the first housing portion 444. When
assembled, as shown on the right in FIG. 4A, an air gap and the
first housing portion 444 are interposed between the piezoelectric
assembly 412 and the RF radiator 406; these elements may define the
first gap, as described above. The arrangement of the ground plane
and RF radiator 406/piezoelectric assembly 412 in this example is
similar to the "flat" configuration described earlier. Although
there is some slight angle between the ground plane and the other
elements, the resulting assembly is still capable of functioning as
a hybrid antenna. In some such implementations, the piezoelectric
assembly 412 may be adhered to the carrier element 442 instead of
to the first housing portion 444.
[0098] FIG. 4B depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0099] FIG. 4B depicts an implementation that is largely similar to
that shown in FIG. 4A. To avoid needless repetition, the reader is
referred to the discussion above regarding FIG. 4A for information
regarding the various depicted components. The implementation shown
in FIG. 4B differs from that shown in FIG. 4A in that the
piezoelectric assembly 412 is adhered to the inside surface of the
first housing portion 444 such that the first gap is only occupied
by air rather than by air and the first housing portion 412.
[0100] FIG. 4C depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. In FIG.
4C, a slightly different first housing portion 444 and second
housing portion 446 are depicted, and the carrier element has been
eliminated in favor of mounting the RF radiator 406 directly to the
first housing portion 444. The piezoelectric assembly 412 may then
be mounted to the opposing surface of the first housing portion
444. When assembled, the first housing portion 444 may be
positioned between the RF radiator 406 and the piezoelectric
assembly 412.
[0101] FIG. 4D depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. In FIG.
4D, the second housing portion 446 includes a mounting surface on
which the RF radiator 406 may be mounted (or metalized onto). The
piezoelectric assembly 412 may be adhered to the exterior surface
of the first housing portion 444. When assembled with the first
housing portion 444, the second housing portion 446 may position
the RF radiator 406 such that a small air gap and a portion of the
first housing portion 444 are located in the first gap.
[0102] FIG. 4E depicts a schematic side view (left) and side
exploded view (right) of one configuration of another example
device housing and hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. In FIG.
4E, the RF radiator 406 may be attached, or metalized onto, the
exterior surface of the first housing portion 444. The
piezoelectric assembly 412 may then be adhered onto or otherwise
connected to the first housing portion with the RF radiator 406
interposed between the piezoelectric assembly 412 and the first
housing portion 444. The piezoelectric assembly 412 and the RF
radiator 406 may be recessed into a slight recess in the first
housing portion 444 if desired. This implementation is similar to
the implementation of the hybrid antenna shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B.
[0103] These arrangements are only representative arrangements, and
various other variations of these components may be practiced in
order to provide a hybrid antenna according to the details
disclosed herein; such alternatives are also within the scope of
this disclosure.
[0104] For example, the RF radiator and/or the ground plane may be
formed in a variety of other shapes. Examples of alternative shapes
for the RF radiator are shown in FIGS. 5A through 6C. Certain
implementations of the hybrid antenna may also use these
alternative shapes for the ground plane.
[0105] FIG. 5A depicts an alternative example of a hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna.
[0106] In FIG. 5A, a hybrid antenna 554 includes a piezoelectric
assembly 518 that is similar in configuration to the piezoelectric
assembly in FIG. 1B. However, packaging requirements in different
electric devices may result in hybrid antennas of different shapes.
Hybrid antennas may not always take the form of rectangular or
box-like shapes. One such implementation of a non-rectangular
shaped hybrid antenna is shown in FIG. 5A as, differing from the
hybrid antenna implementation in FIG. 1B, the hybrid antenna 554 in
FIG. 5A has a substantially circular ground plane 504 and a
substantially circular RF radiator 556. "Substantially circular" as
described may or may not be fully circular. Rather, a ground plane
or RF radiator may be substantially circular as long as there are
prominent radiuses on their edges. In the implementation shown in
FIG. 5A, the ground plane 504 and the RF radiator 556 are not fully
circular as both contain linear portions along their
perimeters.
[0107] The feed post 508 and the shorting post 510 of the hybrid
antenna 554 have been relocated to linear portions of the
perimeters of the ground plane 504 and the RF radiator 556 so that
the feed post 508 and the shorting post 510 may remain a flat
metallic piece. In other implementations, the feed post 508 and the
shorting post 510 may be curved or formed into other shapes.
[0108] FIG. 5B depicts a further alternative example of a hybrid
piezoelectric device/RF antenna. The hybrid antenna 558 in FIG. 5B
is similar in configuration to the hybrid antenna in FIG. 5A.
[0109] The hybrid antenna 558 includes a circular piezoelectric
assembly 560 and a RF radiator 562 and ground plane 504 that are
substantially circular. In contrast to the piezoelectric assembly
and the RF radiator of the hybrid antenna shown in FIG. 5A though,
the piezoelectric assembly 560 and the RF radiator 562 are
O-shaped, i.e., they have holes cut in their centers. Depending on
the design requirements of the hybrid antenna, the O-shaped
piezoelectric assembly or RF radiator may be beneficial. For
example, the piezoelectric assembly may be O-shaped to allow the
piezoelectric assembly to vibrate at a certain frequency. There may
also be internal packaging considerations that make an O-shaped
piezoelectric assembly, RF radiator, and/or ground plane more
ideal.
[0110] Other configurations of piezoelectric assemblies, RF
radiators, or ground planes are also possible. As described in this
disclosure, "O-shaped" components include more than just components
that have a circular hole cut out in the center. "O-shaped"
components may also include components with square, rectangular,
polygonal, oval, or other shaped holes that are centered or
off-centered on the piezoelectric assembly, the RF radiator, and/or
the ground plane. There may also be multiple holes cut into the
components. Indeed, perforated patterns may also be possible.
[0111] FIG. 5C depicts an additional alternative example of a
hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. The hybrid antenna 564 is
similar in configuration to the hybrid antenna shown in FIG. 1A.
However, hybrid antenna 564 has a RF radiator 566 that is L-shaped
rather than rectangular like the RF radiator shown in FIG. 1A.
[0112] Unlike previous implementations shown, the RF radiator 566
of hybrid antenna 564 only partially overlaps the piezoelectric
assembly 512. Various implementations of the hybrid antenna may
have RF radiators that overlap the piezoelectric assembly to
varying degrees.
[0113] In various implementations of the hybrid antenna, the RF
radiator and ground plane may be in various shapes. FIG. 6A depicts
a top-down view of an example RF radiator with ground plane for use
in a hybrid piezoelectric device/RF antenna. The RF radiator 666 of
the implementation shown in FIG. 6A is L-shaped, similar to the RF
radiator of the hybrid antenna in FIG. 5C. The implementation of
the hybrid antenna shown in FIG. 6A also includes a ground plane
604 and a feed post 608.
[0114] FIG. 6B depicts a top-down view of an additional example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna. The RF radiator 668 of the implementation shown
in FIG. 6B is U-shaped. U-shaped RF radiators, such as RF radiator
668, have at least one concave side. The depth of the concavity of
the RF radiator may vary. The implementation of the hybrid antenna
shown in FIG. 6B also includes a ground plane 604 and a feed post
608.
[0115] FIG. 6C depicts a top-down view of another example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna. The RF radiator 660 is another implementation of
an O-shaped RF radiator. An O-shaped RF radiator had previously
been described in FIG. 5B. In contrast to the circular cut-out of
the O-shaped RF radiator in FIG. 5B, the cut-out of the O-shaped RF
radiator 660 in FIG. 6C is rectangular. Other geometries of
cut-outs are also possible.
[0116] FIG. 6D depicts a top-down view of yet another example RF
radiator with ground plane for use in a hybrid piezoelectric
device/RF antenna. The RF radiator 663 of the implementation shown
in FIG. 6D is I-shaped.
[0117] Though FIGS. 6A through 6D describe different variations of
possible RF radiator geometries, the same variations and other
variations of geometries evident from FIGS. 6A through 6D may be
used in other implementations of RF radiators, or may be used in
other implementations of ground planes and piezoelectric
assemblies. The implementations of the hybrid antennas shown in
FIGS. 6A through 6D do not include a shorting post. Other
implementations of the hybrid antennas may include a shorting
post.
[0118] Assembly of the implementations of a hybrid antenna as
disclosed herein may include providing an RF radiator, mounting the
RF radiator to a first surface of a first housing component,
providing a piezoelectric assembly, and mounting the piezoelectric
assembly such that the piezoelectric assembly is electrically
coupled with the RF radiator. In some such methods, the
piezoelectric assembly may have a backing material or insulating
layer. In some implementations, the piezoelectric assembly may be
bonded to the first surface and the radiator may be interposed
between the piezoelectric assembly and the first surface. In some
other implementations, a second housing component may be provided
and the piezoelectric assembly may be bonded to a second surface on
the second housing component. The first housing component and the
second housing component may then be assembled together such that
the piezoelectric assembly is placed in the proper orientation with
respect to the RF radiator in order to produce a hybrid antenna as
disclosed herein.
[0119] Other methods of assembling a hybrid antenna, such as
methods that are evident from FIGS. 4A through 4E, are also within
the scope of this disclosure.
[0120] There are many concepts and implementations described and
illustrated herein. While certain features, attributes and
advantages of the implementations discussed herein have been
described and illustrated, it should be understood that many
others, as well as different and/or similar implementations,
features, attributes and advantages of the present inventions, are
apparent from the description and illustrations. As such, the above
implementations are merely exemplary. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms,
techniques, materials and/or configurations disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of this
disclosure. It is to be understood that other implementations may
be utilized and operational changes may be made without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, the scope of the
disclosure is not limited solely to the description above because
the description of the above implementations has been presented for
the purposes of illustration and description.
[0121] Importantly, the present disclosure is neither limited to
any single aspect nor implementation, nor to any single combination
and/or permutation of such aspects and/or implementations.
Moreover, each of the aspects of the present disclosure, and/or
implementations thereof, may be employed alone or in combination
with one or more of the other aspects and/or implementations
thereof. For the sake of brevity, many of those permutations and
combinations will not be discussed and/or illustrated separately
herein. An antenna with some similar features as the hybrid antenna
detailed in this disclosure is described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/290,906, filed May 29, 2014, titled "HYBRID RADIO
FREQUENCY/INDUCTIVE LOOP ANTENNA," which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
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